Network troubleshooting Cura

To verify a stable connection between Cura and the Ultimaker 3, walk through the steps below to ensure your setup meets the Ultimaker 3’s demands. The steps are given per subject; Ultimaker 3, your network router and Cura software.

Please walk through all the steps from top to bottom to ensure no details are missed.

Ultimaker 3: Power

Ensure the machine is turned on. The main menu should be visible on the LCD display and the LED’s of the machine should be lit.

Insert the power supply and turn the machine on by clicking the power button on the backside of the machine.

Booting up takes ±40 seconds, please be patient before concluding the machine does not boot!

Ultimaker 3: Connection

Ensure the Ultimaker 3 is connected to the local network.

Go to System > Network > Connection status.When the printer name and network are displayed, the Ultimaker 3 has an active connection. Continue reading at ‘Ultimaker 3: Firmware’.

Ethernet

If connected through ethernet, the IP address should automatically be retrieved from the router.

Go to System > Network > Ethernet, make sure the checkbox ‘ethernet’ is enabled.

Check if the network cable is correctly inserted in the Ultimaker 3 and the network router.

If this does not resolve your case, please continue reading below at ‘Ultimaker 3: Firmware’.

Wifi

If connected through Wifi, the machine retrieves an ip address when the login data sent from the computer is successful.

In the Ultimaker 3 network menu, make sure the ‘Wifi’ checkbox is enabled. Although you have done a Wifi setup before, the Ultimaker 3 might have switched to ethernet due to network disconnects.

Run the Wifi setup on the Ultimaker 3 again to verify the right network and password were used.

Go to System > Network > Run Wifi setup.

Ultimaker 3: Firmware

Ensure the Ultimaker 3 is running the latest firmware.

Go to System > Maintenance > Update firmware.The firmware will download automatically if the network connection is valid. Wait for it to download and install, this will take an approximate of 15 minutes.

Network router

The Ultimaker 3 connects to your network router, meaning we are dealing with a lot of different kinds and brands of devices. Most generic routers have little restrictions or security measures and should connect easily, for routers on bigger networks things can get a little more complicated.

Firewalls & Security measures

If you are using the Ultimaker 3 in a company environment on a big network, it might be that the connection from the Ultimaker 3 is refused because of unknown reasons. The Ultimaker 3 uses different network ports for discovery, printer control and the camera feed.

Contact your IT manager about network router security.

Ensure the following ports are accessible by the printer and your computer:

5353: Discovery

80: Printer control

8080: Camera feed

Ensure the network allows communication between devices on the same network freely.

Cura software: Same local network

It is a mistake easily made, especially in an office environment with multiple networks available. Make sure your computer is on the same network as the Ultimaker 3, since they need to be connected in order to communicate with each other.

Cura software: Latest Cura

To get the most stable connection between Cura and the Ultimaker 3, make sure you are running the latest version of Cura. The latest version is available for free here. Download and install the software and run through the connection process again, which can be found here.

Cura software: Re-add Ultimaker 3

The Ultimaker 3’s information, including the MAC address and the security handshake information, is stored in the printer files on your computer. Sometimes the data in these files get corrupted or outdated in unforeseen ways. To resolve this, remove the current Ultimaker 3 and re-add it, read how to do that here.

Cura software: Add Ultimaker 3 manually

The last resort to establish a connection with the printer is to add the IP address of the printer manually.

Go to System > Network. In this menu, the Ultimaker 3’s IP address is shown in the header.

Now in Cura, go the ‘manage printers’ and click ‘Add’ (2). A pop-up appears where this IP address can be entered (4). Finally, click ‘Ok’ (5) and finish the procedure.